MINNEAPOLIS — A former federal immigration judge warned that Rep. Ilhan Omar, D‑Minn., who is currently under two separate federal investigations, could face serious legal consequences, including criminal indictment, denaturalization and possible removal from the United States.
Two investigations, one potential outcome
The first probe examines alleged immigration fraud tied to the way Omar—or her late father—completed her naturalization paperwork. The second investigation focuses on discrepancies in her financial disclosures, with a sharp variance reported just one year apart.
Attorney Nathan Hansen, who served as an immigration judge for four months after being appointed by former Attorney General Pam Bondi, told Fox News Digital, “If somebody who’s a naturalized citizen — which I believe Ilhan Omar is — is convicted of a crime, that doesn’t automatically mean they face denaturalization, but it is a possibility that the Department of Justice could pursue as a separate civil proceeding.”
Denaturalization is a separate civil action
Hansen explained that denaturalization would be a civil case brought by the Department of Justice, likely in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, which handles most such matters. “If there is a nexus between a criminal conviction and citizenship, the Justice Department might consider a denaturalization proceeding,” he said, noting that the decision would be discretionary.
He added that a conviction could also trigger deportation, though that would depend on the specifics of any criminal findings and the subsequent civil actions.
Raid on Washington home and seized evidence
Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) raided Omar’s Washington, D.C., residence in the early morning of Oct. 12. Investigators seized her phone, passport and computer, and later confirmed they have obtained a DNA sample.
While some observers suggest statutes of limitations might protect Omar, Hansen argued that fraud typically tolls any limitation period, stating, “If something isn’t disclosed or is hidden, it would be unfair to the other party to apply a statute of limitations against them.”
Broader immigration backlog highlighted
When asked about the prevalence of immigration fraud, Hansen pointed to the massive backlog of immigration cases nationwide. He estimated that tens of millions of people are seeking entry, with Minnesota alone facing 20,000 to 30,000 removal cases pending without scheduled court dates.
He described the system as “overwhelmed” and noted that bogus asylum claims contribute to the strain. “Asylum relief must be based on protected grounds such as race, religion, ethnicity or political views,” he said, adding that many applications he saw as a judge “just didn’t add up” and often contained clearly fabricated documents.
Legal experts weigh in
Legal scholars note that denaturalization is rare but not unprecedented. In recent years, the Justice Department has pursued denaturalization in cases involving fraud, false statements, or concealment of material facts during the naturalization process. If prosecutors secure a conviction, they could request a denaturalization order, which would strip Omar of her citizenship and potentially lead to removal proceedings.
Critics of the investigations argue that the probes are politically motivated, but Hansen emphasized that the law applies equally to all naturalized citizens, regardless of political affiliation.
What comes next?
The investigations remain ongoing. Federal prosecutors have not disclosed a timeline for any potential indictment, and the Department of Justice has not confirmed whether a denaturalization proceeding is being considered.
For Minnesotans, the case underscores the importance of transparency and adherence to immigration law, especially for public officials who serve as representatives of their constituents.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
